Home for the Holiday

by Wendy Stone

  "It's not stubbornness, Momma. It's self-preservation. If I let him back in, I'd lose my heart as well."

  "Baby,” she said, pushing some of my hair back behind my ear, “Everything is not always what it seems. Look at Bekka and Steven. Did you ever think he could fall in love with their baby? He even changes dirty diapers with a smile on his face."

  "Good for Bekka. I'm happy for them, Mom. But what does that have to do with me?"

  "Oh my, your doctor didn't tell you?"

  "Tell me what? What's wrong, Mom? Did they find something bad like cancer or something?"

  "No baby, it's not life threatening.” She paused as if trying to decide how to tell me.

  "Just spit it out, Mom."

  "We haven't told Nick yet. We thought you might want to tell him."

  "Tell him what. Mom, are you trying to be cryptic? Because if you are, you're doing a fantastic job of it."

  She closed her eyes and I had a feeling this was going to be bad. “Mom, just say it, you're scaring me."

  "You're pregnant, baby."

  "I'm what?! How the hell did that happen? No, don't answer that, I know how it happened. I...” Oh holy hell. I couldn't articulate. “Are they sure?” I asked.

  "They did a pregnancy test before they took you to x-ray. The doctor told us because you were so out of it."

  "I'm pregnant,” I said staring down at my stomach. “Did you tell Nicky?"

  "No, that's for you to do."

  * * * *

  The next day I was out of bed and sitting in one of the chairs when my father came in. I managed to get up shakily and hug him. “How are you feeling, Grandpa?” I joked.

  "You're going to keep it then?"

  "What kind of question is that? Of course I want to keep my baby."

  "I'm happy to hear it, baby. You know we'll do everything in our power to help you."

  I know, Daddy,” I said, sniffling a little.

  "Are you going to tell Nicky?"

  "I'm hoping to never see him again."

  "He's out in the waiting room."

  "Oh, God,” I said. “You want me to let him in here after what he did to me? How can you want that, Daddy?"

  "Because you don't know the entire story. You have to listen to him, honey. He loves you.” I stared into my father's face. He was sincere and positive of the rightness of what he was advocating.

  "Did he explain it to you, Daddy?"

  "Yes, I talked to him. But it's his story to tell and not mine."

  There was a knock on my door and I turned my head to see who it was. Shock barely describes what I felt. “What are you doing here?"

  "I was wrong about you, Kenna. I can call you Kenna, can't I?"

  I shrugged, I didn't care what she called me, as long as it wasn't done close by. “That still doesn't tell me what you're doing here, Mrs. Grenfield. Did you come to gloat? Is that what you're doing? Did Nick tell you I was in the hospital and you wanted to come and dig that knife a bit deeper in my back?"

  "No, God, Kenna, no. Please, can I explain?"

  "Daddy, will you help me back to bed?” I said, holding my arm out to him. Instead, he swooped down and lifted me in his arms, carrying me back to bed.

  "Whoa, Dad, I think I'm a bit too big for you to carry,” I said as he set me gently down.

  "The day any one of you girls gets too heavy for me to carry will be the day they lay me in my casket. Now, I'll let you two talk this out. If you need me, you press the nurse's station button, okay?"

  He turned to Mrs. Grenfield. “I don't know you, but I do know you were part of the reason my girl here was so hurt. Don't upset her further, understand?"

  My daddy towered over her and Mrs. Grenfield nodded quickly, scooting past him and sitting down in the chair I had just vacated.

  "So explain.” I said, pulling the covers up and over my legs. I was pretty klutzy because of the cast and she got up and helped me. “Thank you,” I said grudgingly, angry that I'd needed her help.

  "This is so hard for me,” she said. “I love my son so much that when he left to move to Michigan, so far away from his family and friends, I'd have done anything to get him back."

  "Including Nadia,” I said.

  "Yes,” she said, unable to look in my face. “I'm mortified that I sunk so low, to be a part of something that terrible. Well, I think you know what happened."

  "No, I don't. Why don't you explain it to me?” I said.

  "Yes, I'd be interested in that explanation myself,” said a deep voice from the door.

  I looked up to see Mr. Grenfield standing there. I sat in my bed and watched as Mrs. Grenfield seemed to crumble under his stare. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

  "James,” she said, her tone pleading. “I am so sorry."

  "Don't be sorry to me, be sorry to your son and to Kenna here, who was a guest in our home until you chased her away. Do you see those bruises on her, and the way she's moving? That's your fault, all of it. It comes back on you, because you couldn't cut the apron strings when your son wanted to go off and do his own thing. You couldn't let go of controlling him, or treat a beautiful young woman with any kind of respect or cordiality in our home. You've turned into someone I don't know, Helen.” There was disgust in his voice, and in his face. “Now, tell us the rest of it."

  "The drink,” she began, her voice a little above a whisper, her eyes on her husband. “Nadia spiked it."

  "With what?” James asked, anger overtaking the disgust.

  "I don't know with what, I swear. That ‘date rape’ thing, I guess."

  "And you knew about it? You'd better hope your son forgives you because you've committed a crime, a very serious crime.” His eyes flashed with fury.

  "I didn't know she was going to do it until after he drank it. You'd gone up to bed and it was just the three of us. I didn't plan it, James, I didn't know until after she gave it to him. You've got to believe me. I wouldn't hurt our son that way."

  "You and I will discuss this at greater lengths later,” James said, his blue eyes steely gray as he stared down at his wife. “But for now, I think you need to apologize, not only to Kenna but to her family and to your son."

  Tears started streaming down Mrs. Grenfield's face. But she nodded and Mr. Grenfield moved towards me. “I'm sorry, Kenna. I'm very sorry for the manipulations of my wife. Trust me when I say, she'll never do it again. I hope you'll give Nick a break and let him have his say.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

  I felt tears welling and I nodded. Wiping my eyes with trembling hands, I stopped Mrs. Grenfield from leaving. “I forgive you, Mrs. Grenfield. I understand how hard it can be for a parent to realize that their son or daughter doesn't need them every second of the day. I do hope that someday we can get past this and move on."

  "Thank you, Kenna,” she said, wiping her own eyes with a wad of Kleenex. They left and I was alone. I let out a long breath and tried to get comfortable on the bed. For some reason, I couldn't get comfortable. After a few moments reflection, I thought I knew why.

  Gathering the hospital bathrobe I'd been given and belting it around my waist, I pushed my IV stand out the door and down the hall. I was shaky, each step becoming harder than the last, but I finally made it to the waiting room. There was no sign of the Grenfields, but Nicky was sitting there. He had his head in his hands, leaning forward to brace them against his legs. He looked so sad, it tore at my heart.

  "Kenna,” my father said and I saw Nick's head come up. He was on his feet in a second. “What are you doing down here?"

  "I need to speak to Nicky, Dad."

  "Here?"

  "No, I thought Nick would help me take a short walk and then get back to my room. That is, if he wants to?"

  "Yes, he definitely wants to,” Nicky said, hope shining in his eyes.

  We left the room, Nick putting one arm around my waist and the other pushing the unsteady IV pole that had given me so much trouble.

  "Did you know your mother was coming to
visit me?” I asked.

  "Mom, here? I didn't even know she was in Michigan. What did she want?"

  "My forgiveness.” I stopped walking and turned to face him. “I should have never doubted you. I feel like an ass. I was so wrapped up in my hurt and anger I never once thought about you and what you were going through. Nadia spiked your drink. You wouldn't have touched her if it hadn't been for those drugs. How could I doubt you? I feel terrible."

  He wrapped his arms around me, careful of my bruises. “I would never hurt you like that, Kenna. I love you, I want to marry you."

  He pulled my ring out of his pocket and slipped it on my finger. “No more doubts?” he asked.

  "None,” I said. “Though your mother might have some problems with your father. He didn't look too forgiving when they left my room."

  "They're both here? Why didn't they stop and see me?"

  "I think your mother came to apologize, Nick. I think your father came here to hear her apology and then to take your mom home. I think she's going to have to do a lot of groveling for your dad before he's through. And me, I owe you an apology as much as she owed me one,” I said, but his fingers came up to cover my mouth and I stared up at him.

  "You owe me nothing, baby. It was a mistake and we are both thoroughly over it."

  "No, wait a minute, Nicky.” I still had one thing to tell him. “You need to hear this."

  "Okay,” he said, “but let's walk back toward your room.” I nodded my assent as he pushed the stupid IV pole out of my way.

  "I don't think there's any way to say this but just say it,” I said softly. “Nicky,” I said taking a huge breath. “I'm pregnant."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Sixteen

  Nick's face was priceless. For almost an entire second, his expression was blank, as if I should say it again. Then it cleared and a huge smile grew upon his face. “You're sure?” he asked me, carefully letting his hand slide to my flat stomach. “My baby is growing inside of you?"

  "Who else's baby would it be?” I said, laughing at the expression on his face. “You've certainly kept me busy enough."

  "I didn't mean it like that,” he said.

  "I know. I just couldn't resist needling a little.” I almost shrieked when he suddenly picked me up. “What are you doing?"

  "You need to be in bed. You were hurt and it's my fault.” Nick's face fell when he saw the two people who were heading their way. “Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?"

  "Tell your son, Helen. Tell him what you and Nadia did."

  "James,” she pleaded, but his face was like granite and the expression definitely said she'd find no mercy there.

  "Put me down,” I whispered to Nick then stood at his side while he faced his mother.

  "Tell me what? Mom?"

  "The reason that Kenna left you, it's all my fault. I never once thought when I called her and invited her over for dinner that she would bring with her a date rape drug. I don't even know what it's called or how she got her hands on it. The drink she gave you was spiked with it. I didn't know until after it took affect. You were so out of it. I was scared she'd killed you, so I confronted her."

  "You let that woman drug me?” Nick asked, his eyes hard, his expression matching his father's. I gave his hand a squeeze and he looked down at me.

  "She didn't know, Nick. Nadia did the drugging, your mom didn't know until afterwards. When she found out..."

  "When I found out, I kicked her butt out the door,” Helen said. “But the damage had already been done. Kenna had witnessed what Nadia wanted her to."

  "She's apologized to me, Nick. She's your mom. Don't let something like this break up your relationship with your family."

  "Kenna,” he said, staring down at me. “She could have killed you or you could have miscarried our child, and you want me to just forgive her?"

  Two short gasps followed his words, but I ignored them for a moment.

  "Yes, because I know what she feels. She wanted you to be with Nadia because nothing on God's green earth would have been able to pull her out of New York City. She misses you,” I said, looking up into his eyes.

  "You're pregnant?” Helen asked.

  "Yes,” I nodded. “Not very far along, though."

  "Kenna wants me to forgive you,” Nick said. “I think it's going to take some time, Mom. I never thought you were so petty that you'd treat someone who means as much to me as Kenna does so shabbily."

  "I know, Nick, I'm so sorry,” Helen looked back at her husband, who was beaming with the knowledge that he was to be a grandfather, though his expression hardened slightly as he looked at his wife. Clearly, his happiness at the news had not erased his irritation with her. “Your father and I are staying at the Fairfield Inn. We'd love to see more of you while we're here.” Nick nodded and they turned to go.

  "Wait,” I called. “What brought you to Lapeer in the first place?"

  "Guilt,” Helen said. “I couldn't live with myself, not after what I'd done to my son. I had to apologize to you and to him."

  "I followed her out here. She didn't know I was on the same flight as she was,” James said. He put his arm around his wife. “I met your parents, Kenna. They seem like wonderful people."

  "They are,” I said as Nicky wrapped his arm around me. I was quickly growing tired and knew my aches and pains meant I should get off my feet.

  We went back to my room and Nick helped me back in bed. He sat at my side, holding on to my hand as if I were the most precious thing in the world. “I'm so sorry for what my parents put you through, baby. If I could, I would erase these past four days and I'd have it out with her before any of this happened."

  "I know, but did you see your father? I have this feeling that life at the Grenfield home will be changing a lot.” I giggled. God, it felt good to be with him again. “I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I-I met this man while I was riding the train home. He told me that if I trusted you, really trusted you, I'd listen to what you had to say to me. I just couldn't get past that stupid lipstick smear."

  "What was his name?” Nick asked.

  "David something or other,” I yawned. God, it felt as if all I wanted to do was sleep.

  Nick got up and I grabbed his hand. “Where are you going?” I asked, a little panic in my voice. I'd just gotten him back; I didn't want him to leave yet.

  "You need to rest, love. I'll be here when you wake up, I just have a few things to take care of and then I'll be here.” He bent, kissing me first on the cheek and then a tender kiss on my lips before he left. The nurse came in and asked if I needed anything for pain. I said no, I didn't want anything I took to hurt my baby. Then I curled up and fell asleep.

  When I woke up, Nicky was in the chair beside me. He sat up and kissed my cheek. “I've done something that I'm not sure you are going to want, so I'm just going to ask.” He took a deep breath. “Kenna McEwen, since both of our families are here, would you marry me today?"

  "Today? Like right now?” I said, my voice a little raspy from sleep.

  "Yes, today ... as in right now,” he said, smiling at me.

  "But what about rings? And don't we have to have a license?"

  "Done and done, I've got a priest on speed dial and our families are waiting for you to wake up before they come in. So what do you say?"

  "It'll be legal and binding?” I asked.

  "Yes. Are you trying to weasel out?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

  "I just never thought about getting married in a hospital bed.” I sat up, groaning a bit since I hadn't taken the nurse up on the painkillers.

  "I don't care where we get married, baby, as long as you belong to me. I'm going to love you and keep you safe for the rest of our lives."

  I could feel the tears welling in my eyes from the sweet things he said. It decided the question right then and there. “Let's do it."

  "Are you sure? I don't want you upset that we didn't get you the cupcake dress or any of the froufrou from your first
wedding."

  "I don't need any of that as long as the right man is beside me."

  "Okay, hang on. Your mom and sisters want to mob you and I need to go buzz the priest."

  "Bekka's here?"

  "Yes, and Steven and the baby."

  "Baby Rose is here?"

  "Yes, Auntie Kenna,” he sighed. “Here I ask her to marry me and she gets all excited about her baby niece. Is there something wrong with this picture?"

  I smiled, and the smile seemed destined to stay there as well. He made my world complete. When our child was born, it would only be more complete. I trusted him; after everything that had happened, I trusted him. I allowed my issues over my last horrific relationship color me towards Nick, and I had to put Steven and his promiscuity in the past where they belonged.

  Bekka and Mara came in first. My beautiful older sister was a little heavier than she'd been pre-pregnancy, but it looked good on her. She also looked happy and because of that, I was able, finally, to put everything behind us.

  They both rushed my hospital bed, Mara sinking down next to my hip and Bekka in the chair. “I never thought he'd leave,” she said. “Now, we need to do something with your hair. Mara and I have makeup, we should be able to hide some of those bruises."

  "Whoa,” I said quickly, what are you doing?"

  "You don't want to look like death warmed over on your wedding day, do you?” Bekka asked. “Did you grab the bag?” she asked Mara.

  "Do I look stupid?” Mara threw back at Bekka. “You've told me twenty times in the last half hour to remember the bag and I have it, right here."

  She held up a pink striped bag that was vaguely familiar. “Uh, what are you two planning on doing to me?"

  "We're going to make you beautiful and as bride-like as we can in this situation. So come on, Ken, off with the hospital gown."

  "What?!"

  Bekka sighed and then rolled her eyes. “Do I have to do all of this myself? Mara, help me here."

  My gown was taken off and then something white and silky was slipped over my head. The straps tied at the shoulder to make way for the IV bag. I stared down, seeing soft lace with sequins along the top of the neckline. “This is beautiful,” I said, my fingers caressing it.